IC-7610 HF Transceiver

Equipment summary

  • Icom IC-7610 (HF + 6m) transceiver
    • Astron RS-35A power supply
  • Elecraft KPA1500
    • Elecraft power supply
  • Icom SM-50 desk mic
  • Clipper PTT footswitch
  • Heil Pro-7 headset
  • Nifty mini-manual and other manuals are located in the drawer under the radio.
  • Dell PC, dual monitor set-up
    • Windows 10
    • WSTJ-X, JS8Call, fldigi suite
    • N1MM, N3FJP

Connect equipment and power-up

  • The IC-7610 is located closest to the main door off the porch.
  • Connect to the power mains.
    • Cables are located between the wooden shelf and the east wall.
    • Plug the large 240 V cable (green tag) for the amplifier power supply into the 240 V wall outlet.
    • Plug the smaller 120 V cable for the Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) into the 120 V wall outlet.
  • Power up the UPS by pushing the front button. The green power light should illuminate.
    • If needed, power up the PC by pressing the button on the front panel.
  • Power up the Astron RS-35A power supply that powers the IC-7610. The power supply is located to the right of the Elecraft KPA1500 amplifier.
  • Before you power up the radio, connect it to a suitable antenna.
    • The antenna connections are located on the north wall, near the repeater cabinet.
    • Plug the cable from the radio (yellow tag with IC-7610 on the label) into the cable connector for one of the antennas, for example, one of the triband Yagis for 10-20 m.
  • Power up the IC-7610 by pressing and briefly holding the power button.
IC-7610 power switch

IC-7610 power switch

  • The IC-7610 is connected to the Elecraft KPA1500 amplifier. The power supply for the KPA1500 is under the desk on a small footstool. Check that the KPA1500 power supply is on. If necessary, power-up the power supply by hitting the power switch on the upper rear left side of the power supply. When the amplifier power switch is on, you will see 3 green lights: AC on, High V supply, Low V supply.
  • Power up the KPA1500 by pressing the on switch on the lower right hand side of the KPA1500 front panel.
KPA1500 Power Switch

KPA1500 Power Switch

Log-in to the computer

  • The IC-7610 is connected via USB to the NARC1 PC.
  • Open your logging program of choice. NARC has licenses for N1MM and N3FJP’s Amateur Contact Log.
  • To operate digital modes (e.g., FT8/FT4, JS8Call, fldigi), open those programs. See instructions for operating these modes in separate documents.

Basic controls

  • Audio levels for the two VFOs are controlledd via separate knobs on the left side of the front panel.

  • You may switch operating bands in one of two ways:
    • Buttons located on the right side of the front panel
    • Pressing the frequency on the touch screen.

  • Switch operating modes by pressing the mode button on the touch panel.

This opens a window where you can choose the mode of operation. - Hit the arrow button to close the window and save your choice.

  • Turn digital noise reduction on or off by pressing the NR button on the left side of the front panel. When NR is on, the NR button will be illuminated.
    • To adjust the amount of noise reduction, press and hold the NR button to open a window on the upper right corner of the touch panel display.
    • Turn the MULTI key to adjust the level of noise reduction.
    • Close the NR window by pressing the MULTI key or by pressing the NR button.
  • Adjust preamplifier (P.AMP) settings, automatic gain control (AGC), Intercept Point (IP+), VOX, and compression (COMP) settings by pressing the corresponding button on the left side of the touch/display screen.

  • Adjust touch/display screen settings via the MENU1/MENU2 buttons at the bottom of the touch/display screen.

  • Select receive filter settings via the FILTER button on the right side of the front panel, below the TWIN PBT knob.

  • Set RF power by pressing the MULTI button to open a window on the display/touch screen. Press the RF POWER panel to select it, and adjust the output power by turning the MULTI knob.